DAY 40
SATURDAY 21st AUGUST, 2010
SARCLET TO KEISS – 18.5 MILES 8 HOURS
MORRIS, BILL, ALEX AND KEITH
TOTAL DISTANCE WALKED TO DATE 625.5 MILES
Our overnight stay was in the Harbour Guest House in Wick where proprietor John served up a very hearty breakfast. We took the car back to Sarclet and were walking before 0900. Setting off in dry but cool and misty conditions we initially walked towards the harbour then turned north. With no path to follow we again edged fields along the cliff tops passed the impressive Riera , Broad, Ashy and Ires Geos stopping to enjoy the views of the amazing rugged coastal cliffs and take photographs. We then followed a vague cliff top path passed Helman Head, Kettle Geo and South Stack at Girston, Stack of Brough and on to the castle of Old Wick. From here we walked to the car park, passed the Coast Guard station, through the quarry into Wick harbour where we stopped for lunch. Feeling refreshed and rejuvenated by the now warm sunshine we walked out of Wick from the harbour over the bridge and along the north side of Wick bay passed the tower monument round North Head and on to Papigoe. From here we were able to walk in fields edging the sea to Staxigoe , where we enjoyed strawberries and ice cream at the village fete before walking on thru Noss Farm to Noss Head Lighthouse where we enjoyed a chat and cup of tea with Dave Fraser, caretaker at the Clan Sinclair centre. From Noss Head we walked on the lighthouse service road before taking the path to the castles Sinclair and Girnigoe then made our own path along the cliff tops and shore to Ackergillshore. Passing the impressive Ackergill Tower we made our way to the beach and boots off walked at the edge of the sea on the beautiful sands round Sinclairs Bay to our days finish at Keiss. We enjoyed a very welcome pint in the Sinclair Bay hotel.
Summary; A challenging days walk with many ups and downs round the Geos on the first part into Wick.
Highs; The views at some of the Geos was breath-taking and the sea paddle round the fabulous sands of Sinclair Bay was a treat for aching feet. The strawberries and ice cream were brilliant as was the hospitality of Dave Fraser at Noss Head which was typical of our ‘Caithness Experience’. The sign for Noss Farm welcomed walkers a first so far on our walks.
Lows; None, even weather was good…….a brilliant day on the coast.
CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE
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- Bill and Keith enjoying breakfast
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- Morris and Alex near Sarclet
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- Ashy Geo
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- Keith on the natural arch at Ashy Geo
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- Alex and Keith on the north side of Ashy Geo
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- Looking back at Ires Geo
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- The cliff top path north near Craig Hammel
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- Alex and Keith at Kettle Geo viewing South Stack
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- The Stack of Brough near Wick
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- On the path towards Old Wick Castle
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- Keith and Morris on the natural arch on the north side of the Brough
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- Alex on another rock ledge at the Brough near Wick
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- Ruins of Old Wick Castle
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- Looking back at Old Wick Castle
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- View north across Wick Bay to North Head from the harbour quarry
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- Looking to the entrance to Wick harbour
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- Lifeboat in Wick harbour
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- View back south from North Head, Wick
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- The rather delapidated North Head memorial tower, Wick
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- Looking across Broad Haven to Papigoe
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- Making our way round Broad Haven to Papigoe
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- Approaching Staxigoe
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- Alex and Morris enjoying ice cream and strawberries at the fete at Staxigoe
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- The walkers welcome sign at Noss Farm with Noss Head lighthouse on the point to the right
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- Approaching Noss Head lighthouse
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- Noss Head lighthouse
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- Morris at Noss Head with the end of todays walk at Keiss across the bay in the background
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- View from lighthouse wall over Sinclair and Girnigoe castle to the sands at Ackergill Links
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- Keith and Morris enjoying a cuppa and a chat with Clan Sinclair Centre caretaker Dave Fraser at Noss Head lighthouse
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- Looking back at Noss Head lighthouse from near Sinclair Castle
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- Approaching the ruins of Sinclair and Girnigoe Castles
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- Looking along the cliffs towards Keiss sands from near Sinclair Castle
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- Looking back at the two castles
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- View north across Sinclair Bay towards Duncansby Head
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- Walking towards Ackergillshore jetty with Ackergill Tower in the background
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- On the shore beneath Ackergill Tower
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- On the amazing sands of Sinclair Bay at Ackergill Links
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- Alex cooling his feet with Noss Head lighthouse on the point
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- Looking back along the sands to Ackergill Tower
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- Approaching Keiss
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- Enjoying a well earned pint in The Sinclair Bay hotel, Keiss
ROUTE MAP – CLICK TO ENLARGE
DAY 40 ROUTE MAP